The Joneses

by Shelia M. Goss

  Royce squeezed my hand as we listened to the rest of the service. It seemed like the pastor preached longer than necessary. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who was ready for the services to be over. He should have shortened it at least out of respect for the family. I couldn’t even imagine what they were going through.

  One of Jason’s ex-wives got up, and sang a solo. Then, it was time to leave.

  The kids joined us in the processional as we walked out of the sanctuary.

  Whether our grief was sincere or not, we had all been crying for one reason or another.

  CHAPTER 77

  Royce

  I wasn’t just going through the motions. I truly was in mourning. I’d lost my friend long before we found him laid out in the pool of blood. The day I found out he stole from me hurt. The pain resulting from betrayal hurt even more. Finding out he’d slept with my wife and daughter, felt like a dagger being dug into my heart.

  No matter how much I drank, the pain wouldn’t go away. The only time I felt at peace was when I was sleeping. I was doing a lot of that lately. After the funeral and the burial, I left my workers in charge, came home, and went straight to bed.

  Lexi’s been trying to get me to get out of bed. The kids were here. They wanted to see me. I didn’t want to disappoint them. I’d disappointed them enough. I was supposed to protect them, but instead I brought the monster into our house.

  “Baby, it’s getting late. The kids will be leaving shortly. Don’t you want to come down and spend a little time with them,” Lexi said from the doorway.

  “Tell them I’ll be down in a minute.”

  It took everything within me to drag myself out of bed. I went to the bathroom and washed my face. I went to the closet and found some jeans and a New Orleans Saints t-shirt.

  When I made it downstairs, they were all seated in the living room. They too had changed into comfortable, casual clothes.

  Charity and Hope greeted me with a hug and kiss on the cheek. Hope held my hand. “Thought we were going have to come crash in your room for a minute.”

  “I was just tired.”

  I sat down in my favorite recliner.

  Lexi walked in the room carrying a plate and a drink. “You haven’t eaten anything all day. Someone from the church brought us a whole bunch of food.”

  Lovie wiped his mouth with a napkin. “Whoever baked this pound cake, put their foot in it.”

  Lexi said, “That was Lula. She can make some of the best pound cakes around here.”

  I agreed. “Forget the rest of the food. Just bring me a slice of cake.”

  The doorbell rang. Lexi said, “I’ll get it. Eat up.”

  A few minutes later, she walked in, followed by Officer Underwood. “I hate to disturb you. Especially today, but Mr. Jones we need to ask you a few questions.”

  The smile on my face disappeared. The hair on the back of my neck stood up. I placed the plate on the table. I stood up and greeted him. “Whatever you have to ask, you can ask in front of my family.”

  “Sure, sir.”

  I motioned for him to sit down. Charity moved over. He sat next to her. He pulled out his notepad and a pen.

  “It’s come to our attention that Jason Milton wasn’t killed in the fire. He’d received a fatal gunshot wound prior to the fire.”

  Hope yelled out, “Are you serious?”

  She needed to bring it down a notch. If she overreacted, it would look suspicious.

  “So, it wasn’t an accident?” I asked.

  “No, I’m afraid not. You were his best friend. Do you know any reason why anyone would have wanted to see him dead?”

  Everyone looked at me. I paused before responding, “No. None. Everyone liked Jason.”

  “Apparently not, Mr. Jones. Someone didn’t like him because they killed him.” Officer Underwood wrote in his notepad.

  Had I said too much? I wiped my hands.

  Lexi stood beside me. “Officer Underwood, can this wait another time? He just buried his best friend.”

  I squeezed Lexi’s hand. “Dear, he’s only doing his job.”

  “One of the neighbors thinks they saw your car the night before the murder,” Officer Underwood said.

  “Jason and I spent a lot of time together, so that’s nothing unusual,” I responded.

  “Can you confirm the time?”

  Before I could respond, Lexi said, “That night, he and I both stopped by. It was about nine-something, wasn’t it, dear?”

  I squeezed Lexi’s hand hard. She knew why. She should have kept her mouth shut. Let the police think I was a suspect, but she shouldn’t have put herself in the picture. I looked at her and then back at the officer. “Yes, Lexi’s correct.”

  “Did you see anyone suspicious as you were leaving?” he asked.

  “No. Nothing out of the ordinary,” I responded.

  “Well, according to the coroner, the time of death was between ten and midnight. It’s probably a good thing you left when you did because you two could have become victims too.”

  Charity said, “I couldn’t bear losing either one of you.”

  Officer Underwood grabbed Charity’s hand. “They’re going to be fine.”

  He released her hand and looked at me. “If you like, I can make sure there’s extra surveillance in the area. Whoever killed Jason Milton may think you saw something and come after you too.”

  “Officer, I appreciate it, but I don’t think that will be necessary.”

  He stood up. “If you change your mind, you have my card.”

  “Yes. It’s in my wallet, as a matter of fact.”

  “Charity, can you walk me out?” Officer Underwood asked.

  Lexi said, “We’ll both walk you out. Would you like a plate or something to drink? We have plenty of food.”

  “No, ma’am. I’m still on duty.”

  “Come on. If you don’t tell, I won’t tell.”

  “Well, it wouldn’t hurt,” he responded.

  Lexi turned around and winked her eye at me.

  I mouthed the words, “Get him out of here.”

  She gave me the thumbs up signal.

  “Dad, you did good,” Lovie said, as he took a seat near me.

  “Just telling the truth, Son.”

  Hope, Lovie, and I didn’t say anything else. I sat hoping and praying that Officer Underwood would leave sooner than later.

  I heard the front door close.

  Lexi walked in the room and said, “He’s gone.”

  “That was close,” Lovie said.

  “Too close.” I sighed with relief.

  CHAPTER 78

  Charity

  It had been a few weeks since Jason’s funeral, but the whole family was still walking on eggshells. Omar had been finding every excuse to call me.

  “Dear, that young man seems to be interested in you. You should talk to him. See where his head is,” my mom said to me one day over lunch.

  Which translated into, talk to him and see what he knows about Jason’s case.

  I began having second thoughts about accepting his dinner invitation. It was too late, however, because he was walking around to open my door.

  The door opened. Omar extended his hand out. I reached for it and exited out his sports car. He gave the valet his keys and we walked inside of the casino and straight to the restaurant.

  “There’s one thing I’ve been trying to figure out,” Omar said, while we waited on our food.

  “What?”

  “You’re pretty. You’re smart. Why don’t you have a man?”

  I felt a sigh of relief. That was an easy question. As long as it had nothing to do with Jason, I could answer. “Because I don’t. Next question.”

  He licked his big, juicy lips. “Will you accept my application? I’m a hard worker. I come on time and I’ll do anything—and I mean anything—to make sure you’re happy.”

  He emphasized the words “hard” and “come”. He had me squirming in my seat. Although I regret slee
ping with Tyler, I didn’t regret allowing myself some sexual freedom.

  “Officer.”

  He interrupted. “Call me Omar.”

  “Omar, who said I was taking any applications?”

  He reached over the table for my hand. “Well, if you are taking applications, I want to put mine in, and I’m willing to interview on the spot.”

  “I’m a hard person to work with. Slackers need not apply.”

  “That’s not me.”

  “Cheaters. This is not the place for you.”

  “So far, I’m none of those.”

  “Liars can keep it moving.”

  “I might get this job,” he said, with confidence.

  “There’s a ninety-day probationary period.”

  “Ninety days. That’s nothing.” He blew on his fingers.

  “I call the shots.”

  “Charity rules. I follow directions well.”

  “Then Omar, your application has been accepted.”

  “When can I start my first day on the job?” he asked.

  “You might be required to put in some overtime.”

  Omar made a muscle. “I’m built for that.”

  Our playful banter continued throughout dinner. It’d been awhile since I’d had fun, out on a real date. He walked me to the door. He assisted me with putting the keys in the lock.

  I stopped and blocked him from coming in. “I would invite you in, but I’m sure you have to get up early in the morning.”

  “I traded shifts with a co-worker. I don’t have to be to work until three p.m.”

  I threw caution to the wind. I pulled him inside. Our lips locked. I heard him moan. I moaned. I led him down the hallway and to my bedroom. I’d never brought a man to my bedroom. He was the first.

  We tore each other’s clothes off. We were now only in our underwear. Omar picked me up. I wrapped my legs around his waist. He carried me to my bed. I fell back on the bed, and he fell back on top of me. His lips never left mine. His hands roamed my body. He unfastened my bra with his hands. He cradled one nipple with one hand, and his mouth left my lips and wrapped around my other nipple.

  My panties were soaked with desire for Omar. He eased them off with his available hand, and brought me to an orgasm using his fingers. He replaced his fingers with his lips. I rocked back and forth on the bed.

  He removed a condom from his wallet and placed it on his long and stiff manhood. It felt like the Fourth of July. I saw sparks the moment our bodies united. I had lost all control and so had he.

  Omar cradled me in his arms and we fell asleep as if we’d known each other forever.

  CHAPTER 79

  Hope

  I’d promised myself that I wouldn’t sleep in all day, so I got up around nine instead of noon.

  “Charity, what’s on the agenda for today?” I burst through her door. “Oops.”

  Omar and Charity were naked in her bed. The sheet covered them, but still. I knew they were naked because I could see his brown, muscular chest. Yes, I was definitely checking him out.

  I’d vowed off men for awhile, but big Sis hadn’t. I eased the door shut and went back to my room.

  A few minutes later, Hope entered. She held on to the belt of her robe. “I’m sorry you had to see that.”

  “And I thought I moved fast. I ain’t got nothing on you.” I reached my hand up for a high-five. “Oh, you leaving me hanging.”

  “Please, don’t tell anyone about this.”

  I twisted my fingers in front of my closed mouth. “My lips are sealed. Charity got a new boyfriend.”

  She picked up my pillow and threw it at me. “He’s not my boyfriend.”

  “I’ll cook us breakfast,” I yelled.

  Charity did most of the cooking, but I had skills in the kitchen too. By the time they were dressed, I had bacon, eggs, and grits cooked and on plates on the kitchen table.

  “Hope, good to see you again, under better circumstances,” Omar said.

  “Yes, it is.” My face held a huge smile.

  Charity kicked me under the table. I kicked her back. She winced in pain. I continued to smile. “So, what are your intentions with my sister?” I asked.

  Charity spit out her juice. “Hope, that’s none of your business.”

  Omar said, “Charity, I don’t mind answering her question. I intend on her being my lady. Right now, she has me on a ninety-day probation.”

  He looked at her. They seemed to share some private joke.

  “Looks like so far, so good,” I said.

  “I don’t know. Let me ask her. Am I doing okay so far?” Omar looked at Charity.

  “Stop it. I’m not going to get double teamed by y’all. It’s too early in the morning.”

  He looked at me. “She may not want to admit it, but I think I’m passing.”

  “It looks that way.” I ate my food and then left them alone at the kitchen table.

  I know I promised Charity I wouldn’t say anything, but Lovie called me and before I knew it I’d told.

  “She has no business hanging out with that cop,” Lovie said.

  “He’s one of the good guys. Better him than someone like Tyler.”

  “Still, I don’t like this. I’m coming over.”

  “If you come over, it’ll look suspicious. She’ll know I told you something.”

  “You’re right. Keep your eyes and ears open.”

  I left Charity alone with her company and did the tasks she assigned me. It kept me busy for most of the day.

  Charity walked in my room. “He’s gone.”

  I looked up. “I made a few phone calls. Check your planner. We’re now booked up until September.”

  She gave me a high-five this time. “Now, I need you to coordinate with some of the vendors I use to make sure they are available for the events. I’ll take one month and you take the next.”

  I scratched my head. “Sounds like I’m more of a coordinator slash planner than just an assistant.”

  “Okay. Whatever you want to call yourself.”

  “I’m glad you said that.” I passed her a card I’d printed out. “Event coordinator sounded better than assistant so I made a few cards to pass out to people. I gave them the business number.”

  Charity didn’t say anything. She simply stared at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Has the real Hope been abducted by aliens, and replaced with a clone? This can’t be my sister. You are really taking this job seriously. I’m so proud of you.”

  Charity hugged me.

  “So, I take it you’re okay with me calling myself that.”

  “Call yourself whatever you want, as long as you get the job done.”

  “Great.” I have some ideas for the website too. My excitement about her business made me forget all about asking her questions about Omar.

  CHAPTER 80

  Lovie

  I’d asked around about Officer Omar Underwood. He seemed to be on the up and up, but I still didn’t like the fact he was dating my sister. I paced back and forth in front of the fireplace in my parents’ living room.

  “Do you know Charity has been spending a lot of time with the police?” I asked.

  My dad eased back in his recliner. “Your mom told me about her and Omar.”

  I threw my hand up. “Am I the only one who sees a problem with this? All of this has happened so fast. He’s probably working undercover, and I do mean undercover.”

  “Lovie, don’t talk about your sister when she’s not here to defend herself,” my mom said.

  “Somebody has to be the voice of reason. It seems like you all have lost your mind.”

  “I think you’re just being paranoid. Ever since those cops stopped you, you’ve been acting a little different,” my dad said.

  “You right about that. That could have been the end of my freedom. I’m not going to jail for anyone. You and Mom might not think anything is wrong with Charity spending time with this guy, but I do. He’s a cop and if he sn
iffs around her long, she may let something slip.”

  “Lovie, let it be. Your sister’s old enough to handle her own affairs.”

  “Do I have to remind you of what happened with Tyler?” The room was silent. “So, give me another valid reason I shouldn’t be concerned.”

  My mom replied, “Because Charity is more like your mama than you think. She won’t slip and reveal anything to the officer. In fact, they are coming to dinner, so Lovie, please be on your best behavior.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me he was coming? I should leave.”

  “You’re not going anywhere. This is a family dinner, and I want all of my kids here,” my mom said.

  “And what Lexi wants, she gets. You should know that by now, Son.”

  I looked at them both. Less than thirty minutes later, we were all seated around the dinner table. My entire family seemed to be smitten with Omar. Since everyone else seemed to be afraid to approach the subject, it was left up to me to bring it up.

  We were eating dessert when I asked, “Omar, have y’all caught Uncle Jason’s killer yet?”

  “No, but we’re this close to.”

  Charity said, “Oh, really?”

  Omar looked around the room. “What I’m about to tell you can’t leave this room.”

  “Agreed,” I responded.

  “I don’t want to tarnish his reputation with you all, but Jason Milton had a few enemies. We found a business card that led us to one of his customers. They didn’t have an alibi and, let’s just say, I think we have our man. I’m not the main one working on the case, but that’s the last I heard.”

  “Can you tell us who?”

  “Not until we tie up some loose ends. I’ll be sure to let y’all know so your minds can be at rest.”

  I guess Charity sleeping with the officer paid off. He felt comfortable giving us the inside scoop.

  My dad said, “Son, thank you for this great news. We appreciate the hard work you and your comrades have done to bring Jason’s killer to justice.”

  “I just got a promotion, too. I’m no longer officer. My title is officially Detective Underwood.”

  My mom held up her glass of wine. “Here’s to your promotion.”